UPI:
Japan is planning to allocate about $2 billion to $3 billion toward missile defense systems in response to North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile provocations.
The defense-spending proposal is expected to be part of Japan’s third revised supplementary budget, Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun reported Monday.
North Korea has launched a total of 22 ballistic missiles in 2016, and more provocations are expected. The deployment of new missile defense equipment is to act as a key deterrent, according to the report.
Highlights of the proposal include the planned deployment of the Patriot Advanced Capability Missile Segment Enhancement, a powerful missile interceptor.
The PAC-3 MSE reportedly has a wider range and altitude than the PAC-3, which is the system currently in deployment in Japan.
The purchase cost of the PAC-3 MSE, $150.2 million, is reflected in Japan’s fiscal year 2017 budget, according to the report….
